Club for Growth Backs Boehner Ally’s Primary Opponent

The Club for Growth backed a primary challenge to longtime Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, in its first major endorsement of the cycle.

On Wednesday, the influential conservative group announced its support for Bryan Smith, an attorney, to challenge Simpson, an eight-term member and close ally of Speaker John A. Boehner of Ohio.

“We met with Bryan months ago after hearing about him through PrimaryMyCongressman.com, and we’re confident that he’ll be a strong conservative alternative to RINO incumbent Mike Simpson,” Club for Growth President Chris Chocola said in a press release.

“It’s time for Idaho voters to throw Mike Simpson out, and Bryan Smith is the man to replace him,” added Chocola, a former congressman from Indiana.

The club interviewed Smith in early May in Washington, D.C., and conducted a poll on his viability later in the month, according to a timeline provided in the release.

Smith raised $147,000 in his second fundraising quarter, according to a campaign release.